Marriage Proposal: Ben & Bima
9 - So, should you take care of it?

(Five)

Before and after I came home from Bangkok, I always turned on the lights of the house. Front yard lights, backyard lights, and lights all over the house. I feel like I live alone in this house. Other residents of the house may not be there or always come home late at night. A month ago, I used to stay in my office to finish my novel, so I never knew who was home. I only knew a few items that I might have suspected contained books and some clothes that were not light-colored were in the backyard, sunning them neatly.

Tonight, after dinner I was alone outside because I was lazy to cook because I worked all day. My first day was heavy. After the task of making my first presentation was revised a lot, then taking classes with Prof Ben, then he gave me another journal that was quite thick and I was told to make his presentation again. He said it'll be used in the morning. The journalist fortunately did not speak English, but spoke Indonesian so I easily made a summary in the notebook and made a presentation. While I was making a presentation, Prof Ben left the room for quite a while. Then he didn't come back until he told me on the phone.

“If it's five o'clock I haven't returned to the room, just go home. Don't forget to lock my door. I hope tomorrow you come early in the morning to open the room and bring the presentation as well.” he explained.

“Good, Prof.”

At the time, I had not finished my presentation. I dream a lot and listen to some songs. Opened a few drafts of my novel, read them draft by draft. Nothing interesting. Then the clock showed at five o'clock in the afternoon and Prof Ben showed no signs of returning. I hurried to clean up my things and his rather messy desk with the paper marks printed by him. And leave the room. Locking it. Check back.

When I turned on the lights, I just saw the pile of stuff increase again since last month. This time the boxes piled up on the stairs. This house is indeed composed of three rooms only, with a rather spacious living room, kitchen, bathroom is upstairs, not as big as downstairs. The top floor is not as big as the bottom. It could be said that the roof was only half. Not so suitable if made into a bedroom. Frowsty. Tight and dark. Are there other residents in the room above? But why are the other residents also invisible? Same with the occupants in the room next to mine.

Never mind. I rushed to shower. Open the laptop again, finish making a presentation until 11 p.m. I can't stay up if I don't take care of what I don't do. So, when I finished making the presentation, I sent the file to Prof Ben. As I fell asleep, the door to the living room opened. I heard it faintly. But I still ignored it. I can't open my eyes anymore. The door of this house is equipped with an automatic door, not a manual door, so my safety is guaranteed if one day I fall asleep like tonight, and only someone who lives in this house can open the front door.

(Ben)

Tonight I decided to go to Mee's house, which has been contracted for years. I have decided since last month to move my belongings to this house for the second time. After 13 more years I left this house to go to Bangkok. Continued S2 until I got my Professor degree. I teach a lot at several universities both in Indonesia and in Bangkok itself. But for the past two years, ever since I became a Director at one of the TV stations in Bangkok, I've reduced my teaching schedule. I only teach at one university in Indonesia and do not accept teaching at any university in Bangkok. Because I realized, when I was in Bangkok my busy life was more complicated than I came to Indonesia.

The atmosphere of the house was very messy because there were so many boxes piled up in the living room, the middle room, and near the stairs to the top floor that I used to call the attic. I moved the bushes near the stairs to the attic and put them in the room there. The room looks clean, although it is a bit dusty. Maybe because it was cleaned and then left back. Upon returning to the lower floor, I had time to check and pay attention to the messy boxes in front of me and open them. If there's any dus I can put in the room and I unload the contents. I fell asleep and did not have time to shower.

In the morning, I heard a loud teapot and briefly it disappeared. Maybe there's someone in the kitchen. I looked at the wall clock and showed it at half-time at 7am. I tidied up my bed and hurried to walk open the door of the room then took a towel in the sunken backyard and headed for the bathroom. I know, there's still people contracting this house. Mee told me. He had already contracted for about 3 years and chose in the spacious master bedroom and paid a bit more than the other 2 rooms. But I forced Mee to reject those who wanted to contract the remaining 2 rooms. Because I want to live in that house.

I told Mee not to have a problem with this guy. At that time I knew…

I walked while closing my eyes. I actually feel ready if this person knows where I am one day.

“Halo. Morning.” sweep. His voice looks cheerful. I put on my shorts and draped my towel.

I looked towards him.

“Pagi.” replied.

She smiles. Not giving any reaction. I was confused. He should have reacted to me.

“We have never met. Did you go home last night and open the door?” tanyakanya. He holds a glass. How to hold the glass is rather careful. Maybe it's hot tea.

“Yesterday we met.” I said.

He scrunched his forehead.

“Oh yes? When?” tanyanya looks confused.

Something is strange. I approached. I saw glasses perched on top of his head. He didn't wear glasses yesterday. I took the glasses off her head and put them on.

Finally, this reaction was what I was waiting for.

He was shocked to the point that the glass he was holding was nudged by his reaction and the entire contents spilled out and caused him to release his glass and break. It's hot too. He grimaced a little at his hands that had spilled his tea. The smell of the tea touched my nose. Fragrant tea jasmine.

I held her hand and saw her skin turning red. I wiped it with my towel.

“I just found out your eyes are myopic.” I said. My language is not formal.

He's still down. The other hand was busy picking up the glass.

“Prof... sorry... I don't know it Prof.”.

I waltzed off to the kitchen and picked up a dry washcloth to clean up the tea spills. As for him, Yayai took a broom and a pengki to remove the glass shards from the glass.

“Prof, how can it be?”

“This is my home.”

Yayai. I noticed his rather thick glasses.

“So who has this house?”

“My.”

“Today I met his Mama Prof?”

“Not. That's his man. His confidant. He's a kos-kosan.” explained me. I'm back in the kitchen. Putting a wet washcloth because of tea water.

“Already Prof let me just.”

Yayai is still speaking formally to me.

“Have you taken a shower?”

Yayai was shocked when I asked that.

“Eh? Already Prof.” Awkward expression.

“We go to campus together.”

“Prof want breakfast?” tanyanya nervous.

“Ngak. I drink coffee.” I replied briefly. Then I went into the bathroom. Before I turned on the shower, I heard Yayai's screaming voice even from the room. I smiled with satisfaction.

(Five)

“Elo want to move?” sigh Tasya. He was shocked to find out that Prof Ben was in the house I was in. “Nggg... but elo it's comfortable in that house.”

“Betul. Right.” I agreed.

I imagined my life. In the morning I had to meet him until the afternoon, then at night I also met him. As of this morning, I knew he was in my house, not his house and I was someone who rented the master room in his house, shared the bathroom with him. Why does the house have one bathroom? The bathroom is rather large. Justjust…

“Gue can find an apartment?” tanya Tasya was serious. Concerned about my situation.

“Means that costs aja yah? How long do I move my things in the room to the apartment?”

Space door shifted. I quickly turned off my phone and put it on the table. Prof Ben came in with a map. He gave me the map.

Did he hear my conversation with Tasya? I didn't meet tasya today at college. I just called him, before I just sent him a chat message, only it was more exciting if I called him directly to tell this. Moreover, for a few days I did not open the draft of my novel so maybe I will stay up late tonight to write another draft of my novel. Only I'm worried, Prof Ben will concern myself. Do I have to make mistakes to get fired? Or how is it? You see, the people of Prof Ben always complain every job of his assistant and immediately fired an assistant who is not good at work.

“Already?” tanyanya slow.

“Hmm... This is Prof's agreement with another university? Prof offered a job at another university?”

“Aduh.. essentially.”.

“Intinya.. This is Prof agreement with other universities to teach....wait.” I flipped through sheet by sheet of the agreement. Cite any course that Prof Ben teaches.

“Cancel.”

“Ha? How to get rid of? This is already Prof signature.”

I saw Prof Ben's signature on the last sheet. I'm standing. Read his full name and look at his signature closely.

“Wait, this is not a signature of Prof.” I emphasize. Walk towards his desk. Indicates that his signature is not as usual although similar.

Prof Ben held his forehead. Massaging again. Looks like he's gonna get in trouble. He reached into his tote bag and took the place of his glasses and put them on. The glasses are typical of professors. My breath stopped seeing him wearing glasses. He looks serious.

“I think so too.” he said. Oh well, he changed his language back to formal. “I had a chance to argue with the dean of this issue.”

“What Prof forgot with his own signature?” I'm kind of a doubt. It seems he forgot.

“Iya, I forgot.” He's confessing. “I don't feel like signing this. But I don't deny, it's my signature.” he explained.

I'm speechless. Thinking the right way.

“What Prof wants to teach at this university?”

“No. This semester I last taught.”

I'm nodding. Students in this program will lose Chai Prasert Nopadon Ratanarak. Be grateful for the students who have been taught. I admit that he has an undoubted intelligence. I folded my lips, holding my own laughter.

“If this university demands how ya?”

“There are other ways besides the legal path?” tanyanya seriously. He knows what I'm thinking.

“Pro should be able to strengthen Prof's alibi, indicating that this signature is not Prof's signature. Very different line and emphasis.”

I'm proud of myself. I am a very thorough man.

“Sign this Prof is difficult.”.

Prof Ben was silent. It seems like he has decided something.

“I will face the dean again. That this signature is not mine. Maybe I'll offer a seminar at this university? He seemed to want to pull me there..”.

This foreigner is much needed by Indonesian citizens.

“Good idea.”

Afterwards, Prof Ben came out again with the agreement. Not long after, Tasya appeared in the room carrying a packet of chicken noodles for me.

“Gue know elo have not eaten..”.

My eyes twinkled at the parcel she had brought from the canteen.

(Ben)

I stared at the phone screen as I was about to go home. I rented a small five-story building to start my business in Jakarta. The employees I hired were just a few. I briefly read the short message that just appeared. Suddenly my head hurt again. I don't like people who do work in a dishonest or fraudulent way. So, I had to bear the consequences of signing a deal that I didn't sign that actually looked like I was signing. Tomorrow morning I will be the main speaker at a national seminar. I looked up Yayai's number and contacted her to make me a presentation slide. Only the phone is inactive. I saw my watch. It's 11 in the night. Maybe he's asleep. I finally decided to go home.

Even at home, the atmosphere of the house is still dark. The lights have not been turned on at all. Only the front yard lights are automatically turned on. Where's Yayai? Has he not come home yet? When we got home, the time was already showing at half an hour in the morning. I went to the kitchen to see my coffee sachet. Stay one. I quickly brewed it and drank it a little bit and brought the coffee-filled glass to the room. Only. At that time my eyes were blurred. My stomach feels wrapped around. Cold sweat came out. Right at the same time I dropped a glass of coffee on the floor and I heard the door open.

(Five)

I looked at my phone and there were some e-mails coming in. I read it one-on-one, including an e-mail from Prof Ben a few hours ago. I read an e-mail from Prof Ben. The point is he also told me to work nights to prepare his presentation. But I want to sleep. As I walked slowly into my room, it was like seeing Prof Ben fall asleep on the floor.

Oh God! Looks like he fainted!

“Prof? Prof?” I patted her cheek slowly. Right on his head was coffee water and broken glasses. It's a pity that Prof didn't answer. Panic arises. I put my hand to Prof's nose, still breathing.

“Sick...sick once.” Suddenly Prof Ben's voice came out. I knew his cold sweat was pouring out profusely and his face was deathly pale. He held his stomach tight.

“Prof? It's me, Bima. Prof going to the hospital?” my panic. I removed his head from the coffee spill. Sticking head.

There's no answer. Just moaning.

Looks like I have to act. I put Prof's head on the floor again, then opened his room, looking for something. I looked at his bag and the car keys on his bag which was just on the bed. I was so amazed at his room. Although the color of the walls is gray, there is a small window above the head of the bed. Prof Ben's room extends. On his left side was a small bed. On the right side is a long table and two computer screens and a large gaming chair. Still on his right side, there is a small table on it there is an aquarium filled with various kinds of colored fish. I heard the sound of running water. Then on the other side were two large cabinets left and right when I entered her room.

The room is actually neatly arranged but there are still some boxes whose contents have not been issued. I was looking for something in his room. I saw his car keys near the aquarium table. I picked it up and ran to the yard to open the car. I just saw his car was a European car. The smell of the car was still stuck from the showroom. It is important, the steering wheel is still on the right, I chirped in my heart.

When I went back into the house, I saw Prof Ben still lying, grimacing, and holding his stomach.

“Prof, let's go to the hospital.” I lifted his heavy body.

“Help me... I want to sleep.” he said sniffled.

“Prof... If not to the hospital, it will be severe.”

“This...maag.”.

I actually wanted to drag him to the car just because his body was heavy I finally helped him walk to his room. I sighed as I put her body into the bed.

“Prof do you have your own medicine?” my many. My face is very close to his pale face. The sweat is still flowing. I wiped his sweat with my hand and wiped my wet hands onto my shirt.

“There. Under the aquarium drawer.” he said. He opened his eyes. Saw me looking for medicine and went out of the room to get drinking water for him. After taking the medicine, I just knew he was asleep. Even though I went back and forth to her room, and it was a little noisy in the kitchen making things for her. Because I'm sure, Prof Ben must not have eaten at all all all day. Because I rarely see Prof Ben eating. So, I have to take care of this stranger.

***